Frank Reich has a dizzying take on the Panthers disappointing loss to the Vikings in Week 4
It feels like the same story every week. The Carolina Panthers lost to the Minnesota Vikings 21-13 in a home game that never felt like one. For the first half of the game, the Panthers were leading, but then, rookie quarterback Bryce Young was strip-sacked, and the Vikings returned it to the endzone, gaining the lead and […]
It feels like the same story every week.
The Carolina Panthers lost to the Minnesota Vikings 21-13 in a home game that never felt like one.
For the first half of the game, the Panthers were leading, but then, rookie quarterback Bryce Young was strip-sacked, and the Vikings returned it to the endzone, gaining the lead and momentum near the end of the third quarter.
After the game, Panthers head coach Frank Reich provided a familiar explanation, stating the Panthers are "close" to being the team they expected to be coming into the year. But close doesn't net wins in the NFL. The Panthers are 0-4 through the first month of the season for a reason.
Reich also said that the main difference in the game wasn't Minnesota blowing up the Panthers' offensive line. Instead, he blamed the defense. Yes, the defense that scored the only touchdown for the Panthers and forced two interceptions was the reason the team lost in Reich's eyes.
"The big difference here was we didn't get them once or twice," Reich said. "We didn't get them enough."
It's a take that doesn't make any sense. The Panthers' defense netted two interceptions, one of which was a 99-yard pick-six.
Where the Panthers fell short was Reich's playcalling and coddling of Young. At a certain point, the offense has to do and be more — especially if Reich was billed as a quarterback guru coming into his first year as the head coach of the Panthers.
The Panthers defense held the Vikings to 14 points, if not for the strip sack on Young. The Vikings have Justin Jefferson and Kirk Cousins — that's not an easy feat.
Meanwhile, the Panthers offense manufactured exactly 0 touchdowns and couldn't get out of its own way as the game wore on.
Before Reich blames the defense, he may need to look in the mirror.
Rapid reaction: Panthers defense stakes its claim, still not enough in Week 4 for loss to Vikings
The Carolina Panthers, in what Adam Thielen described as a playoff-like game throughout the week, came out somewhat ready to play.
